It's the end of the 2010s, and the gang is looking back to try and make sense of what just happened. Join us for a jaunt down memory lane that is almost as insightful as it is exhausting. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be amazed at how many games we're still playing today came out over a decade ago. Happy new year, and here's to another decade of great games. Questions? Comments? New year's resolutions? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend! Subscribe: iTunes | Google ..read more

The gang discusses Really Bad Chess, which is actually really good. We dig into how developer Zach Gage made a classic game more fun and accessible, and Rob expresses his surprisingly deep love for Backgammon. Questions? Comments? Fightin' words? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend! Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Android | Stitcher | RSS Header image from Really Bad Chess by Zach Gage ..read more

The gang discusses the gorgeous visual album game Sayonara Wild Hearts, heaping praise upon its aesthetics but picking apart its bizarre relationship with its scoring system. Questions? Comments? Fightin' words? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend! Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Android | Stitcher | RSS Header image from Sayonara Wild Hearts by Simogo ..read more

The gang discusses Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the latest entry in the long-running tactics RPG series. We dig into how Three Houses uses its character development mechanics to encourage the player to invest in their characters both mechanically and emotionally. We then contrast this approach with those taken in XCOM 2 and Darkest Dungeon to see how each game uses its systems to reinforce its unique themes and tone. Questions? Comments? Need to share some sweet fanart of your favorite FE student? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please rev ..read more

We discuss Fantasy Flight Games' recent 'unique deck game', Keyforge, in which every deck you buy is a randomly generated, unique, and unchangeable combination of cards. We look at how this system makes the game more approachable than traditional trading card games, how it affects high level and competitive play, and what other developers can learn from this approach, even if they don't have access to FFG's custom printing processes. Questions? Comments? Want to suggest a game for us to play? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review ..read more

The gang compare the card combat systems in Steamworld Quest and Slay the Spire and analyze how one simple difference massively changes the focus of each game. Questions? Comments? Want to suggest a game for us to play? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend! Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Android | Stitcher | RSS Header image from Steamworld Quest by Image & Form Games ..read more

We're back with a very special episode, as co-host Ryan Anderson walks us through their design methodology for the combat in Wintermoor Tactics Club.  We break down how Ryan intentionally approached Wintermoor so that it would introduce new players to turn-based strategy games, and we use those same lessons to analyze how Fall Guys, One Night Werewolf, and Good Sudoku function as introductions to their own genres. Wintermoor Tactics Club is out now on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. Questions? Comments? Suggestions for future topics? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com ..read more

Jon and Kyle sit down to discuss player proactivity in tabletop roleplaying. What is the difference between proactive and reactive play? Why is proactivity important for collaborative storytelling? And how do you create a space where your players feel comfortable and encouraged to be proactive? We answer all these questions and more in this jumbo-sized Roleplay extravaganza. Questions? Comments? Have your own opening rituals to get your players in the roleplaying mood? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or ..read more

The gang breaks into Death Stranding and Animal Crossing, two games that are perhaps more similar than they first appear.  We discuss how adding friction to mechanics can make the player feel more present in the game world and debate whether there is such a thing as a wrong way to play a game. Questions? Comments? Thoughts on other franchises that have more in common than people expect? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend! Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play |  ..read more

The gang digs into the audacious design of Doom Eternal, which manages to be too similar to its predecessor for new players to learn, yet is also too different for some existing fans to enjoy. You can punch the ribs out of a giant brain with a gun bolted on top, though, so Jon and Rob love it anyway. Questions? Comments? Other examples of sequels that diverged from their predecessors? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend! Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Android ..read more